13 things to know before 'The Walking Dead' returns Sunday

The last time we saw Rick, Daryl, and the Alexandrians, they finally made a decision to defy Negan and secretly gather together an army to take down the Saviors. Now, Rick must try and convince the Hilltop and Kingdom communities to fight alongside them if they want to get back their lives.

We've seen the first episode — no spoilers here — but I will say it's a return to what fans have been asking for from the series. If you don't have time to rewatch the season and need a quick refresher on where the series left off, here are the things you should keep in mind ahead of the premiere when it airs Sunday at 9 p.m. EST on AMC.

Daryl got away from the Saviors.

Someone unlocked Daryl's room — Dwight's ex-wife Sherry, perhaps? — and he made his way to the Hilltop with Jesus before reuniting with Rick.

Daryl killed Fat Joey.

AMC

Joey was probably one of the few decent people at Negan's Sanctuary. When he crossed paths with Daryl, Joey gave him the option to just ride off, saying he's just another guy trying to get survive. While a line like that may have worked in the past, the last time Daryl let someone off the hook that person ended up being Dwight and it was a decision that ultimately came back to haunt him. Not only did it partially lead to some of his friends' deaths (Abraham, Glenn, and Denise), but it also resulted in his own capture by the Saviors.

While Joey's death was harsh, it's slightly more significant if you've been paying close attention to the series.

Joey was in charge of keeping the communities safe from zombie hordes. In season seven, episode seven, two of the Saviors explained how Joey was redirecting large groups of walkers using trip-wires and RPGs. Now that he's out of the picture who will prevent herds of zombies from going to the Sanctuary or the other communities?

Rick was reunited with his gun.

It was like Rick became his old self once he was reunited with his pistol.AMC

Though Joey's death was bittersweet, Daryl swiped Rick's gun back after bludgeoning him to death.

Heath is still missing.

Gene Page/AMC

And no one seems to really care.

Heath went missing in season seven, episode six after he and Tara were separated. Since then, Tara has made her way back to Alexandria and there hasn't been a search party sent for Heath. Sure, I know Rick's crew was just hit with a few more unexpected losses from Negan and his men, but if this was one of the major players missing — Daryl, Rick, Michonne, or Carl — you know every effort would be made to find them. Carol didn't even want to be found and Rick sent Morgan after her.

Tara stumbled upon another group of survivors.

AMC

Rick and the gang had their guns taken away by the Saviors. If they want to have any chance against the Saviors, they're going to need an arsenal. Despite Tara promising to keep Oceanside's location and people a secret, she may be forced to eventually give it up for the better of the world.

Oceanside also lost a lot of people to the Saviors.

Enid is at the hilltop.

AMC

Enid wanted to be with Maggie since they were both grieving the loss of Maggie's husband Glenn. Carl made sure she arrived all right.

One of King Ezekiel's right-hand men, Richard, has had it with Negan and is prepared to fight.

AMC

That could be good news for Rick when he tries to court the Kingdom as we've seen teased in promos for the show's return.

Carol's living off on her own away from everyone else and has had some strange visions.

Gene Page/AMC

Carol has ditched the group to live on her own. She told Richard she's not interested in waging any sort of war against Negan or being a part of it. She just wants to be left to her own devices.

That's sort of understandable. Carol has been through a lot. She lost her child back in season two. Becoming a killing machine has started to slowly take a toll on her. She has previously spoken with Daryl about it in season five while searching for Beth.

In the first half of the season, she also started seeing zombies as their human selves. Perhaps it was just an odd hallucination she was experiencing since she was injured, but maybe it's a hint at something more.

Morgan killed a guy.

Gene Page/AMC

Morgan killed a Savior who was threatening to kill Carol back in the season six finale.

Still, when Richard approached him about the possibility of going up against Negan, he said he wasn't interested because a lot of people would die. In his defense, he told Richard he took a life in order to save a life. He wasn't sure if killing the Saviors would actually make things better.

Instead, the ever optimistic Morgan suggested that maybe they can make things work with Negan becasue there's "a peace now."

Richard's response? Morgan will choose to kill one day, like it or not, because it will get bad. Eventually Negan and his men will turn on them.

Eugene was taken by the Saviors.

Gene Page/AMC

That could be bad news for Rick since Eugene was just planning to produce bullets for Alexandria. Now he could be mass producing them for the Saviors.

Jesus, Daryl, and maybe even Carl know where the Sanctuary is located.

Gene Page/AMC

Jesus and Carl hopped a ride on a Savior truck to the Sanctuary and Daryl traveled with Jesus back to the Hilltop from the location. That information will be useful when planning out any future attacks.